Dec 12 Family: German Journalist Jailed in Venezuela as Spy

This October 2018 handout photo provided by Edward Six shows his son, German journalist Billy Six in Bucaramanga, Colombia. The parents of the freelance journalist are calling on Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro to release their son, jailed since mid-November on suspicion of espionage and inciting rebellion. [Photo: Edward Six / AP]

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — German freelance journalist Billy Six has circled the globe with a hand-held video camera asking people living through wars and strife to tell their stories.

But when he turned his lens to Venezuela, documenting the economic collapse and mass migration from the socialist country, he wounded up in jail on charges that his family says include spying — accusations they reject as false.

“He never touched a weapon, never joined in any demonstrations,” his father, Edward Six, told The Associated Press. “He just was on the street. He talked to all these normal people. He asked them questions and put that on the internet.”

Based in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Damien Willis is a newspaper columnist and communications professional. He generally writes about entertainment, pop culture and the ways we pass our time in the 21st century.